Page 89 of Unraveled By the Duke
She left the room.
Alexander sat in silence until Mullins reappeared with a decanter of brandy and a glass on a silver tray. He accepted the glass and took an unhealthy swallow, staring at Lavinia.
“What is it you wish to discuss?” he asked.
She produced a piece of folded paper from the pocket of her coat and placed it on the table in front of her. “Printed this morning, discussing a fresh scandal involving your wife. This time, it also involves her sister, Aurelia. It does not mention the gentleman concerned but links the two sisters together and questions the morality of their family. Terrible.”
Alexander barely glanced at it. “And you bring this to my attention, why?”
“I have a proposition. I am prepared to help you out of your current predicament.”
“What predicament? I am a married man. Happily married and with a good reputation.”
“Not happily and certainly not with a good reputation. What good was done by your public appearances was undone in private. I can help you, though. I will take you back. Leaveyour wife, swear that your marriage was not consummated, and marry me. My dowry has increased since we were last engaged. I can clear your debts, and Hyacinth can have the debut she deserves. Here…”
She produced a smaller piece of paper and slid it across the table towards him.
“This is a promissory note which I have signed and which you may present to my bankers immediately. Sign it and bank it, and your word is given.”
Alexander looked at the paper. It was just a slip of paper, but so potent in its significance.
“I agree. If I were to sign it and bank it, it would be the same as swearing an oath. I would be giving my word.”
“Then we are agreed?” Lavinia asked.
Alexander had never been so tempted. A simple act. A dashed signature and all his problems would be over. If and only if he could erase Celia from his mind.
Lavinia was nothing but a body. There was no danger of being ruled by his heart. No danger of being weakened by attachment. Celia represented a very great danger.
“We are not. Not yet. Leave it with me for now.”
Alexander felt as though his words would reverberate through the ether, communicating his betrayal to Celia. He wanted to wince, feeling the pain it would bring to her.
I must decide. Do I wish to be weak and in love, or strong and alone?
CHAPTER 28
“Oh, Celia, I remember this room. I have not been here since I was a young girl!” Aurelia exclaimed.
“This was my room when I stayed with Aunt Hilda and Uncle Cuthbert. And before that, it was our playroom when we all lived on this land. Mama and Papa stayed in Oak Cottage while Aunt Hilda and Uncle Cuthbert stayed here at the vicarage. I’m surprised you remember it so well. Papa inherited Banfield when you were no more than five years old, I think,” Celia explained.
“I remember the cross on the wall and the pictures of Jesus everywhere. I remember being sent in here with a warning to play quietly while the grown-ups played bridge or drank tea,” Aurelia said.
The room was small, the bed that had been put in here for Celia taking up most of the space. A locked bookcase held volumes about theology, and a chest in one corner gathered dust. Locked and untouched.
“It was never formally a playroom. Just somewhere far enough away from the sitting room that children could not be heard,” Celia said.
“Is that your chest?” Aurelia asked, her voice suddenly brittle.
“And you have the key.”
“Would the two of you like some tea?” Aunt Hilda called up the stairs in a strident voice.
“Yes, please, Aunt Hilda!” they both answered in unison.
It reminded Celia of her girlhood, when both would have responded in a similar way to offers of lemonade or fruit cake, both of which Aunt Hilda excelled at making.
They laughed and then turned back to the chest. Aurelia had the little silver key, and her hand trembled.
